I tell him everything Izzy just told us. “They’ve disabled the Atlas, and I think they’re coming through the tunnels.”

“And how do they even know about the Atlas?”

I bite my lip and avoid answering that particular question. I told the Families so much before I understood the danger. “The point is that the vacuums and doors have been opened and disabled, and they’re on their way with an aerosolized version of antimatter.” Or so says Izzy, and she sounded pretty confident about it all.

Rafe pinches the bridge of his nose and, after a few breaths, says, “How many of them are coming? And do you know their intentions?”

“Probably around five or six. And I think they’re after the Testament scrolls.”

“Well, if it’s the scrolls, I can take care of having them better protected. There aren’t that many Guard on Arcadia, but there should be enough to handle a small group,” Rafe says.

“Are you sure?” I ask. “They have this new airborne antimatter.”

“What can you tell me about it?”

I’d grilled one of the Families’ scientists all about antimatter. As a concept, it’s something that modern scientists have a basic understanding of, but only on a theoretical level. The knowledge of how to cultivate and use antimatter was stolen from the Makers during the original Inquisition and was passed down only among the Oculus. Until recently.

Roman is apparently on the team that synthesized the gas, so Izzy had a lot of details.

“It’s a gas that, when inhaled, temporarily suspends Sire abilities without doing any permanent harm.”

“That sounds like it would do a tremendous amount of damage to Sires,” Rafe says in his I-am-being-very-stern voice.

“There’s only a small trace of antimatter in it. Supposedly it’s been tested extensively and hasn’t done any long-term damage to Sires. It’s just meant to—of course!” I slap my forehead.

They both stare at me expectantly. “Do explain,” Rafe prompts.

“Would it be possible,” I ask, “to spread an aerosol through whatever pumps the mists around the island?”

“It’s not a pump. It’s a forced temperature contrast created between the hot springs and the—” He stops and goes as still and as white as marble.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think it’s possible. Do you know for certain that they have a way to contaminate the mist?”

“I… I don’t know. They asked me a lot of questions about it.” I had thought they were just asking because of their interest in sustainable geothermal energy. “I didn’t tell them much, but they have multiple informants.”

Georgie has started typing intensely.

Rafe pulls both hands through his hair, sending his hair tie flying across the room. “If they can do it, it would be truly devastating.”

“I mean, I know it’s not great,” I say, “but it should only temporarily suspend Sire abilities.”